Kirk Rodgers, Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region, announces the selection of Michael R. Finnegan as Area Manager for the Region's Central California Area Office. Finnegan will be responsible for the operation of Folsom and Nimbus Dams, the Folsom South Canal on the American River, New Melones Dam on the Stanislaus River, and Lake Berryessa.

"Mike Finnegan will bring strong expertise and wide experience to this highly critical position in the Mid-Pacific Region," commented Kirk Rodgers. "Mike has been a key member of my team, and his management skills will serve him well in this job." Finnegan will begin his new position on February 9, 2004. He replaces former Area Manager Tom Aiken who retired earlier this month. Finnegan has served as Regional Business Manager since September 1996, directing the Region's business support functions including budget, water and power ratesetting, economics, finance, information technology, contracting and financial assistance, and property. He was also management's point of contact for water and power contractors on matters relating to rates, charges, and project finances.

Finnegan served in the U.S. Army from 1967-70, including two tours of duty in Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne Division. He began his Federal career in 1975 as a Human Resources Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), Sacramento District. In 1984-85, Finnegan served as a Staff Action Officer at COE Headquarters in Washington D.C., performing cross-functional assignments in support of COE's hydropower and dredging programs and other civil works and military programs.

From 1986-89, Finnegan was on special assignment to Headquarters, Department of the Army, in the Pentagon where he developed civilian personnel and budget policy and managed major demonstration projects for COE Districts and Army installations world-wide. He was the Personnel Officer and Deputy Director of Personnel at Oakland Army Base, California, from 1990-91. Finnegan joined the Mid-Pacific Region in December 1991, first serving as the Human Resources Officer then as Deputy Director, Business Resources Center, in April 1995.

Finnegan is a graduate of Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks. He has a BA from California State University, Chico. He is a 1991 graduate of the Army Management Staff College. His career awards include: Department of the Interior Superior Service Award, Regional Director's Human Resource Award, and the Commissioner's Human Resource Award; Army Management Staff College Outstanding Student Award, Achievement Medal, and Leadership Award; Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award and Decoration for Meritorious Civilian Service; and the Office of Personnel Management's David C. Johnstone Award.

Finnegan and his wife, Patty, have two children, Jack and Jane, and live in Gold River, California.

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